EP2562823B1 - PV module with edge protection tape - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a frameless, rectangular photovoltaic module with four side edges, which comprises on its upper side an upper glass pane and on its underside a protective film against the ingress of moisture reaching to the upper glass pane, wherein between the upper glass pane and the protective film Arranged means for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and in which a probation band is provided at least along one of the side edges.

Photovoltaic modules per se are known millions of times, the means for conversion are usually photovoltaic cells, a plurality of which are electrically connected in series between the two glass panes. Thin-film modules are also known in which the means are based on the use of a polymer film. Most photovoltaic modules of the type mentioned have in common that the two glass panes are interconnected, e.g. via a plastic layer of ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA), in which the means for generating the solar power is embedded. The connection must be free of voids, cracks and the like in the entire peripheral edge region of the PV modules in order to protect the medium between the glass panes from moisture. Already the corrosion and the associated degrading conductivity of a single photovoltaic cell of the module reduces the power yield of the entire PV module. If the corrosion proceeds so far that there is an interruption in the series connection of the PV cells, this leads to a failure of the module and it must be replaced. Photovoltaic modules are also known in which only a single pane of glass is used on the upper side of the module and, on the underside of the module, the means, possibly arranged on a carrier substrate, is embedded in a plastic layer. The plastic layer is provided from below with a protective film, which is usually made of Tedlar.

To achieve a high density, it is known in frameless photovoltaic modules to provide the two glass sheets with an offset to each other, which forms a throat into which a sealant is introduced. The sealant in turn is protected at its free, not limited by the glass surfaces of the said protective film, which is intended to prevent ingress of moisture into the sealant. There are also known photovoltaic modules with frames in which the tightness is achieved by gluing the frame to the edges of the two panes of glass.

A photovoltaic module of the type mentioned is from the US 5,733,382 A1 known. There, a frame enclosing the side edges of the module is shown, which can be replaced by a polyethylene tape. Special features of the volume will not be discussed there.

In winter, with snow-covered photovoltaic modules, the following situation may occur, as shown by the FIG. 1 is illustrated. The FIG. 1 a shows a cross section through a photovoltaic module 1 along the edge of the roof, corresponding longitudinally to the gutter, when the module 1 is free of snow. The photovoltaic module 1 rests on two supporting beams 3a, 3b, which run perpendicular to the roof edge, ie between the roof edge and the roof ridge. On the support bars 3a, 3b a plurality of photovoltaic modules 1 is mounted one above the other. In the assembled state, the PV modules lie flat on the supporting bars 3a, 3b. The resting takes place on a plane E, which runs in the surface of the two roof spars 3a, 3b.

In the FIGS. 1b to 1d in each case a situation is shown when a snow load 5 rests on the photovoltaic module 1. The snow load 5 causes a bending of the relatively elastic photovoltaic modules 3, which may vary depending on the arrangement of the support beams 3a, 3b. In the FIG. 1b the support beams 3a, 3b are arranged relatively far apart with respect to the length of the PV module 1, which leads to a central deflection D and to a respective increase H at the edges of the PV module 1. In the closer together supporting beams after the Figure 1c the increase H takes place in the middle between the supporting bars 3a, 3b and at the respective edges there is a deflection D. The Figure 1d shows yet another possible situation which can occur with PV modules 1 of great length. There is a deflection D in the middle between the girders. Due to the rigidity of the PV modules 1, an increase H occurs laterally beyond the supporting beams 3a, 3b, which have developed at the outer edge of the PV module 1 due to the snow load 5 to respective deflections D.

The deflections D and elevations H are greatly exaggerated for ease of understanding. In reality, they are only a few millimeters, which can lead to damage due to slipping ice or slipping snow on some occasions. This is based on the FIG. 2 Illustrated, a roof area with six rows of mounted photovoltaic modules 1 whose three upper rows are covered with snow or ice and whose three lower rows are free of snow and ice. The PV modules 1 of the three upper rows are bent and have at their center in each case the deflection D after the FIG. 1b whereas the underlying rows are flat as in the FIG. 1 a is shown. If the ice plate 5 slides downwards in such an event, its lower part, which due to the deflection D lies at a level below the plane E, will strike the edge of the upper glass pane of the ice-free underlying PV module 1. This is indicated by three arrows K, which symbolize the force that acts on slipping on the edge and the edge of the bottom mounted PV module. The impact of the ice plate can cause damage to the PV module, in particular due to cracks and holes in the protective film from Tedlar, or due to chipping on the edge of the glass. Depending on the size of the deflection D there is also the risk of damage for the lower glass pane, as well as the risk of being deformed for the protective film and the sealant. As a result, the tightness of the module edge can no longer exist, and there is a penetration of moisture between the two glass panes or depending on the module type between the upper glass and the bottom of the module forming protective film. The ingress of moisture is accompanied by the damaging effects on the photocells or the light conversion foil. It should also be noted that this risk is relatively low for framed PV modules, since on the one hand, the deflection D is smaller because of the rigidity of the frame and on the other hand, the frame itself already provides some protection against edge damage. However, the framing is very cost-intensive and also detrimental to the visual appearance, so that generally frameless PV modules are preferred.

Based on the above-mentioned consideration of possible damage to the side edges of a frameless photovoltaic module by slipping ice, it has been the object of the present invention to counteract this effect with a simple and favorable measure.

This object is achieved in that the probation belt contains fibers which are aligned in a preferred direction transverse to the side edge. It is self-evident that the at least one side edge is the one which, when the photovoltaic module has been installed in the firing direction, is at the top. Particularly advantageous is the use of a specific to the present purpose tailored probation band, which is characterized in that it contains predominantly, possibly also exclusively, glass or carbon fibers transverse to its longitudinal axis. The usual probation bands in the form of packaging, assembly or sealing tapes are reinforced with fibers which extend in particular longitudinally to the pulling direction of the tape. The situation is different with the present probation band: Here, the fibers run in a preferred direction transversely to the module edge, which implicitly also corresponds transversely to the longitudinal direction of the probation band.

The probation band is in particular self-adhesive and contains fibers, which are preferably made of glass or carbon or at least have as an ingredient.

When using PV modules with two glass panes, it is advantageous if the side edges of the first and the second glass pane in the disk direction have an offset from each other, so that a throat is formed, in which a sealant, in particular butyl, is introduced. The probation band then extends at least over the side edge surface of the first glass pane, over an adjacent, strip-shaped region of the upper side of the first glass pane and over at least a portion of the sealant. However, it is preferred if the probation band extends over the entire region of the sealant located along the side edge and, moreover, over a strip-shaped region of the underside of the second glass pane.

For PV modules with only one glass sheet and a plastic layer underneath, in which the means for converting solar energy into electrical energy is embedded, the probing tape extends at least over the side edge surface of the first glass pane, over an adjacent, strip-shaped region of the top the first glass sheet and a further strip-shaped area of the lower surface of the protective film.

The forces due to slipping ice or snow act on the side edge of the PV module and tend to pull the tape off the side edge. This is counteracted by the fact that the probation tape is glued to a narrow area (of about 1 cm to 3 cm) of the upper glass side of the first glass and possibly even on a narrow area of the underside of the second glass or alternatively, depending on the type of module yet on a narrow area of the underlying protective film. It then requires overcoming the shear forces between the probation band and the glass area to the with the Glass glued probation tape from the glass to solve. The required shear force can not be applied by the slipping ice plate, so that the probation band remains permanently over the edge and edge area to be protected.

Fig. 1a-1d

Verformungsbeispiele eines Photovoltaikmoduls bei Schneelast;

Fig. 2

eine Gefahrensituation zu einer Kantenbeschädigung durch eine rutschende Eisplatte;

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch einen Modulrand gemäß der Erfindung bei einem ersten Modultyp;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch einen Modulrand gemäß der Erfindung bei einem zweiten Modultyp;

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt durch einen Modulrand gemäß der Erfindung bei einem dritten Modultyp;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Bewährungsbandes, teilweise auf einem Wickeldorn aufgewickelt; und

Fig. 7

Ein Bewährungsband mit skizzierter Faserstruktur.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Fig. 1a-1d

Deformation examples of a photovoltaic module under snow load;

Fig. 2

a dangerous situation to edge damage by a sliding ice plate;

Fig. 3

a cross-section through a module edge according to the invention in a first module type;

Fig. 4

a cross-section through a module edge according to the invention in a second module type;

Fig. 5

a cross-section through a module edge according to the invention in a third module type;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a probation band, partially wound on a winding mandrel; and

Fig. 7

A probationary band with sketched fiber structure.

In the FIG. 3 1 denotes the photovoltaic module, which comprises a first, upper glass pane 7 and a second glass pane 9 arranged at the bottom. Between the glass sheets 7, 9 is arranged as a means for converting solar energy into electrical energy, a plurality of photovoltaic cells 11 which are connected in series. At one point of the photovoltaic module 1 connecting lines (not shown) are led out, with the aid of which the PV module 1 can be connected to adjacent PV modules 1 or to a strand bus. The glass sheets 7, 9 are glued together with the inclusion of the photovoltaic cells 11. The bonding takes place with the aid of a plastic compound 12, in particular EVA (ethyl-vinyl-acetate), in which the photovoltaic cells 11 are embedded.

On at least one edge of the rectangular photovoltaic module 1, the upper glass pane 7 is seen by an offset V in the direction of the disk plane, to the outside postponed. Thus, a throat 13 is formed, which is filled with a sealing substance 15. The sealing substance reliably prevents the penetration of moisture between the glass panes 7, 9 in the undamaged state. The penetration of moisture must be avoided since it leads to corrosion of the photovoltaic cells and their connections. A failure of the photovoltaic module 1 is then only a matter of time. The FIG. 3 shows still a known protective film 16, which is currently usually made of Tedlar, and covering the entire bottom of the lower glass 9. The moisture protection film 16 must be protected against mechanical damage, in particular in the edge region of the PV module 1, in order to prevent the penetration of the harmful moisture towards the PV cells 11. This is particularly important in photovoltaic modules in which there is no offset V of the glass and there is no corresponding further protection against the ingress of moisture through the sealant 15.

As previously stated in the introductory part on the basis of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been explained, there is the risk that a force K acts on the bent edge of the photovoltaic module 1 by a sliding ice or snow layer 5. The risk of damage resulting from this is reduced by a probation band 17 which extends at least from the upper edge 19 of the upper glass pane 7 over the sealing compound 15 to the lower edge 21 of the lower glass pane. Advantageously, the probation tape 17 is still on a predetermined strip area 23 and 23 ', which adjoins the edges 19 and 21, respectively, arranged on the glass tops of the first, or the glass bottom of the second glass pane 7, 9. The reaching into the glass panes 7, 9 stripe areas 23, 23 'of the probation 17 provide a high adhesive strength between the probation 17 and the photovoltaic module. 1

In one in the FIG. 4 shown embodiment, two identical glass panes 7, 9, congruent, ie without offset V to each other, connected to each other. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Due to the lack of butyl sealant 15 here is the probation band 17 is particularly suitable to protect the side edge of the PV module 1 from damage. In particular, in view of the fact that in the known PV modules 1, the protective film 16 ends at the lower edge 18 of the upper glass pane 7. This stripe provides an exposed point of attack for snow falling down.

In the FIG. 5 a third type of module is shown in which the means for converting solar energy into electrical energy is applied to a carrier substrate 31 in a coating process. After application, the agent is etched or cut into individual photovoltaic cells 11 in a thin-film process, wherein the electrical connections between the PV cells 11 can be provided via the carrier substrate 31. Analogously to the methods known from semiconductor manufacturing, any layer sequences of electrically insulating, electrically conductive or semiconductive material can be applied to the carrier plate 31 and brought into a desired configuration. The carrier substrate 31 is embedded together with the means 11 arranged on it in a plastic layer 12 made of EVA. The underside of the plastic layer 12 at the same time represents the underside on which the protective film 16 is arranged, which then forms the underside of the photovoltaic module 1. The protective film 16 extends to the lower edge 18 of the glass pane 7. To protect them from the already often mentioned damage from sliding down ice, the probation band 17 is also provided in this embodiment, which extends over the side edge of the PV module 1 to via a strip-shaped subregion 23 on the upper side of the glass pane 7 and a strip-shaped subregion 23 'on the lower side of the photovoltaic module 1, ie the protective film 16.

In the FIG. 6 is still the probation 17 used, as it is wound on a winding mandrel 25, for example of cardboard or plastic, in a known manner. Before or after assembly of the photovoltaic module 1 on the support beams 3a, 3b, the edge to be protected according to the in the FIG. 3 respectively. FIG. 4 shown manner provided with the probation band 17. In the FIG. 5 can still be seen that the probation 17 has a plurality of stabilizing and tear-resistant transverse fibers 27 which extend transversely to the unwinding or to the pulling direction of the probing 17 and a smaller proportion of longitudinal fibers 29 which extend in the pulling direction so along the probation band. The proportion of transverse fibers 27 extending transversely to the direction of pull should be at least 60%, preferably between 70% and 90%, of all the fibers 27, 29 contained in the probation belt 17. A particularly preferred proportion is between 75% and 85%. The transverse and longitudinal fibers 27, 29 are made of glass or carbon or contain at least a high proportion of these materials.

In the FIG. 7 the probation band 17 is shown in a plan view before the application to the edge of the photovoltaic module 1. The FIG. 7 has a section line 33 which the probation band 17 in a left and a right representation, corresponding to two different versions of the probation band, divided. On the right side of the figure, two coordinate lines perpendicular to each other are still shown, of which the x-direction extends in the direction of the side edge of the photovoltaic module 1 and the γ-direction transverse thereto. The term "preferred direction transverse to the side edge" as used herein is intended to mean that the preferred direction of the fibers, when viewed as a vector, has an amount in the Y-direction that is greater than the amount in the x-direction. Thus, both fibers in all directions within the marked sector 35 should be encompassed, as well as all ratios of pure transverse to longitudinal fibers 27 or 29, which fall in total into this region 35. Thus, the left half of the figure illustrates a probationary band 17 whose fibers run very steeply, that is almost completely transverse to the side edge. All fibers which are at plus / minus 45 degrees to the y-axis have a preferred direction transverse to the longitudinal edge of the module. The right half of the figure, however, shows pure transverse fibers 27 and pure longitudinal fibers 29, each extending in the direction of the y-axis and in the direction of the x-axis. A resulting vector v, which symbolizes the weighting of the installed longitudinal and transverse fibers to one another, has a larger vector component v2 in the y direction than the vector v1, which represents the vector component along the longitudinal edge of the module. In the weighting mentioned, both the number and the diameter or the cross-sectional area must be taken into account, since the longitudinal or transverse fibers 29, 27 may differ in their shape and dimension.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

photovoltaic module

3a, 3b

support beam

5

Snow / ice

7

upper glass pane

9

lower glass pane

11

photovoltaic cell

12

Ethyl vinyl acetate plastic layer

13

throat

15

sealant

16

protector

17

probation tape

18

lower edge upper glass pane

19

upper edge upper glass pane

21

lower edge lower glass pane

23, 23 '

strip area

25

Wicke Dorn

27

cross grain

29

longitudinal fiber

31

support plate

33

intersection

35

sector

D

deflection

e

upper level with ice-free glass pane

K

force

Claims (7)

1. A frameless rectangular photovoltaic module (1) with four lateral edges, comprising an upper glass panel (7) on its upper side and a protective film (16) on its bottom side against the ingress of moisture, the protective film (16) extending up to the upper glass panel (7), wherein a means (11) for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy is arranged between the upper glass panel and the protective film, and wherein a reinforcement tape (17) is provided at least along one of the lateral edges, characterized in that the reinforcement tape (17) contains fibers (27) which are aligned in a preferential direction transversely in relation to the lateral edge.
2. The photovoltaic module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fibers (27) are glass fibers or carbon fibers.
3. The photovoltaic module according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (11) is embedded in a plastic layer (12), more particularly in an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) layer on the bottom side of which the protective film (16) is disposed.
4. The photovoltaic module according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reinforcement tape (27) extends across the lateral edge of the upper glass panel (7), across an adjacent first strip-like area (23) of the surface of the upper glass panel (7), and across a further strip-like area (23) of the bottom surface of the protective film (16).
5. The photovoltaic module according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (11) is arranged between the upper glass panel (7) and the upper glass panel (9).
6. The photovoltaic module according to Claim 5, characterized in that the lateral edges of the upper and lower glass panels (7, 9) comprise an offset (V) in relation to each other as seen in the plane of the panel, with the result that a flute (13) is formed into which a sealant (15), more particularly butyl, is applied.
7. The photovoltaic module according to any one of Claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the means (11) is applied onto a substrate (31) which is embedded in the plastic layer (12) along with the means (11).

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